India's Proximity Archives
Date: September 04, 2024
South Asia
India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Colombo from 29-30 August 2024 to sign the founding documents of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). Following discussions at the 6th NSA level meeting of the CSC held in December 2023 in Mauritius, the Charter & MoU for the establishment of the CSC Secretariat were signed in Colombo on 30 August 2024 by India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. During the ceremony, NSA Ajit Doval emphasised the importance of collective efforts in addressing traditional, non-traditional, and emerging hybrid challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. He also called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and met other senior Sri Lankan officials and political leaders.
India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Colombo from 29-30 August 2024 to sign the founding documents of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). Following discussions at the 6th NSA level meeting of the CSC held in December 2023 in Mauritius, the Charter & MoU for the establishment of the CSC Secretariat were signed in Colombo on 30 August 2024 by India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. During the ceremony, NSA Ajit Doval emphasised the importance of collective efforts in addressing traditional, non-traditional, and emerging hybrid challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. He also called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and met other senior Sri Lankan officials and political leaders.
Southeast Asia
Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang held talks with his Philippines counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila on August 30, 2024, marking his first visit to the Philippines in his present appointment. The two ministers signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) on the enhancement of cooperation in the field of HADR at Sea and Military Medicine and agreed to sign a deal to enhance defence cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam by the end of the year. "The two sides shared the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea," according to the Philippines Defence Department. During his visit, he also paid a courtesy call on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang held talks with his Philippines counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila on August 30, 2024, marking his first visit to the Philippines in his present appointment. The two ministers signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) on the enhancement of cooperation in the field of HADR at Sea and Military Medicine and agreed to sign a deal to enhance defence cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam by the end of the year. "The two sides shared the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea," according to the Philippines Defence Department. During his visit, he also paid a courtesy call on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
East Asia
On August 29, President Xi Jinping met with Assistant to the US President for National Security Affairs, Jake Sullivan, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi stated that China’s US policy is highly consistent and that the two countries must develop the right strategic perception, and find a good answer to the overarching question: Are China and the US rivals or partners? According to Chinese state media, Xi told Sullivan that he hoped the US could see China’s development in a positive light and would work with China “to find a right way for two major countries to get along with each other”. A White House readout said Sullivan and Xi also discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine, the South China Sea, and further implementation of bilateral commitments on counternarcotics, military-to-military communications and AI safety and risk.
On August 29, President Xi Jinping met with Assistant to the US President for National Security Affairs, Jake Sullivan, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi stated that China’s US policy is highly consistent and that the two countries must develop the right strategic perception, and find a good answer to the overarching question: Are China and the US rivals or partners? According to Chinese state media, Xi told Sullivan that he hoped the US could see China’s development in a positive light and would work with China “to find a right way for two major countries to get along with each other”. A White House readout said Sullivan and Xi also discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine, the South China Sea, and further implementation of bilateral commitments on counternarcotics, military-to-military communications and AI safety and risk.
West Asia
On September 1, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) recovered the bodies of six hostages killed by the terrorist group Hamas in southern Gaza's Rafah. Following this, protests erupted across Israel, demanding that the country's leadership ensure the immediate release of hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed that the IDF will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor (Gaza-Egypt border) in exchange for a hostage deal as it would enable Hamas to regain strength. President Biden condemned Hamas terrorists for killing Israeli civilians including a US citizen, warning they will pay for their actions.
On September 1, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) recovered the bodies of six hostages killed by the terrorist group Hamas in southern Gaza's Rafah. Following this, protests erupted across Israel, demanding that the country's leadership ensure the immediate release of hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed that the IDF will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor (Gaza-Egypt border) in exchange for a hostage deal as it would enable Hamas to regain strength. President Biden condemned Hamas terrorists for killing Israeli civilians including a US citizen, warning they will pay for their actions.
Central Asia
On September 2, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during the annual state-of-the-nation address that Kazakhstan’s referendum on constructing a nuclear power plant is scheduled for October 6, 2024. President Tokayev strongly supports the construction of the nuclear power plant despite Kazakhstan’s deep nuclear scars. He emphasised that the upcoming referendum would represent a broad national dialogue and exemplify the “listening state” concept. In his speech, Tokayev said, “Given the growing global energy deficit, we are in dire need of reliable and environmentally friendly energy sources.”
Indian Ocean Region
On September 2, 2024, the Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers in the Red Sea: the Panama-flagged MV Blue Lagoon I, operated by a Greek company, and the Saudi-flagged MV Amjad. Both vessels were laden with crude oil, with the MV Amjad carrying approximately two million barrels, nearly double the amount on the MV Delta Sounion, which had been attacked on August 21. The assaults involved two ballistic missiles and a drone, with the MV Blue Lagoon I sustaining minimal damage and no injuries reported among the crew. These attacks raise significant environmental concerns, especially given the ongoing salvage operations for the MV Delta Sounion, which is still ablaze and poses a risk of a major oil spill.
On September 2, 2024, the Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers in the Red Sea: the Panama-flagged MV Blue Lagoon I, operated by a Greek company, and the Saudi-flagged MV Amjad. Both vessels were laden with crude oil, with the MV Amjad carrying approximately two million barrels, nearly double the amount on the MV Delta Sounion, which had been attacked on August 21. The assaults involved two ballistic missiles and a drone, with the MV Blue Lagoon I sustaining minimal damage and no injuries reported among the crew. These attacks raise significant environmental concerns, especially given the ongoing salvage operations for the MV Delta Sounion, which is still ablaze and poses a risk of a major oil spill.
